Assiniboine College will launch a new course next year linked to it’s agricultural expansion.
The college is now accepting applications for its three-year mechatronics program. Properly titled mechatronics engineering technology (controls and automation), the program aims to give students hands-on experience developing automated machinery that is increasingly common in agriculture and agri-businesses.
The program is expected to launch in September 2025.
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Why it matters: The Brandon-based college is increasing ag-related student spaces to 800, up from around 300 several years ago.
The program will answer the agricultural, manufacturing and food processing industries’ need for mechatronics-trained professionals, said Kevin Rogers, academic chair of manufacturing and agricultural processing at the college’s Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment.
“This program will train students interested in careers in automation, robotics, precision agriculture and ag-tech development and give them the first-hand learning experiences we are so proud to offer,” Rogers said.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our first class for this highly anticipated program, ultimately training graduates in the use of technology across all industries.”
Career options for mechatronics graduates will be vast, Rogers said. Those include roles as technicians and technologists in automation, control system repair and design, robotics, manufacturing, electronics and mechanical systems repair, product development and instrumentation.
“They’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
Assiniboine’s program will also stand out from those at other post-secondary institutions in the country, he added.
“Mechatronics is a mixture of electronics, mechanics and controls and automation.”
Potential students interested in the programming can visit the college’s website. Financial aid and awards will be applicable.
Ag expansion
Mechatronics are among anticipated additions to the college’s syllabus. The college has said its expanded ag programming in general is tailored to meet the increasingly technical needs of employers. It has partnered with industry in development of new programming, and has a goal to pursue more applied research with industry partners.
The planned ag hub, the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, is a linchpin of Assiniboine’s expansion. In January, the college said it was waiting on federal funds that would augment fundraising for the facility. At that time, college president Mark Frison said he expected the centre to be open by late 2027.
In 2022, Assiniboine announced two other course additions, chemical engineering technology and food science programs, were being developed in collaboration with pea-processing company Roquette and the national protein supercluster, Protein Industries Canada.
The college has also worked with Dauphin-based greenhouse operation Vermillion Growers on horticulture programming.
